Out of Chaos Professional Organizing Companyhttp://www.outofchaos.ca
Vancouver, Burnaby, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and BeyondWed, 16 Aug 2017 16:50:05 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.110079882510 Tips to Successfully Pack Moving Boxeshttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/16/10-tips-pack-moving-boxes/
http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/16/10-tips-pack-moving-boxes/#respondWed, 16 Aug 2017 14:53:56 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2234Preparing to move? Although packing can be tedious, it is important to take extra time and care to properly organize your boxed items for a move. It’s a terrible feeling when you open a moving box and realize something has been broken or damaged. I’ve helped many clients move... Read more

Although packing can be tedious, it is important to take extra time and care to properly organize your boxed items for a move. It’s a terrible feeling when you open a moving box and realize something has been broken or damaged. I’ve helped many clients move over the years, so here are a few tips I’d like to share.

Be sure to pack:

Dishes and Bowls on their rims, never flat

Glasses and Stemware on their rims to protect delicate stems

Sharp Knives wrapped with an arrow marked on the outside to indicate sharp end

Lids Inverted and placed wrapped upside down in the cooking pot, tea pot or casserole

Heavy Items on the bottom of the box, lighter on top

Picture Frames with Glass facing each other for protection

Cords and Cables wrapped individually to avoid that rat’s nest

Spaces with packing paper or other filling materials so there’s no movement in the box

Sets & Categories gathered together (cleaning supplies, toys, etc.)

Items with More Than One Piece labeled “1 of 2” parcels or “contains 2 pieces” on the outside

It takes a bit of patience and attention, but following these tips should help you successfully pack your contents in boxes to avoid any damages. It will be worth it at the end, trust me!

]]>http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/16/10-tips-pack-moving-boxes/feed/02234Use That Space: Go Verticalhttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/10/use-space-go-vertical/
http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/10/use-space-go-vertical/#respondThu, 10 Aug 2017 18:00:45 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2211It’s true. Sometimes we don’t have enough storage space for the things that are important to us. They could be everyday items like bathroom supplies that don’t fit under your sink or special things like travel mementos you would display if you had the surface area. What do you do... Read more

]]>It’s true. Sometimes we don’t have enough storage space for the things that are important to us. They could be everyday items like bathroom supplies that don’t fit under your sink or special things like travel mementos you would display if you had the surface area.

What do you do with them? I suggest you use your space efficiently by going vertical.

Here are 3 ways I recommend:

1. Install shelves

Installing shelves is obviously a common way to use your vertical space. You can build your own shelves or buy them ready-to-go. From wood to metal, there are oodles of different types and styles to choose from that will hold your necessities.

If you have the height or wall space, I’m a huge fan of shelves built above doors or in recessed nooks.

Here’s an example of a shelf mounted inside of what was a closet, creating a cozy seating nook underneath.

2. Use wall pockets

Don’t overlook these! What I like about wall pockets is how versatile they are. Sure, they hold shoes or jewelry, but you can use them for a wide variety of things. Fill them with cleaning supplies or art materials and hang behind a door for easy access. No more searching through drawers for a glue stick or your stapler!

3. Hang directly on a wall

Amp up your living space! Take advantage of your walls at eye level (and above) and install some sturdy fasteners. Do you have a colourful surfboard or vintage canoe paddle? Consider it décor for your indoor wall space. Even bikes on walls or hanging from the ceiling can look really cool. Those are art AND conversation pieces.

Certainly, there are some items that just don’t fit in a box or on a shelf. To keep them off the floor, start scaling your walls with storage accessories and solutions.

Pictured here is a wall panel organizing system from Walltek, which can be used indoors or out. The many organizing accessories can hold your sporting goods, tools or gardening supplies. Don’t stop at the garage, this system is equally as versatile in laundry rooms, basements, or storage sheds.

If you’re in need of storage space, think “up”!

Out of Chaos is here to help you organize your space or even teach you new strategies to stay organized. Just contact us at 604.813.8189 or info@outofchaos.ca.

]]>http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/10/use-space-go-vertical/feed/02211Visual Brainstorms ®http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/02/visual-brainstorms-18/
http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/02/visual-brainstorms-18/#respondWed, 02 Aug 2017 20:00:37 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2208Our riddle from our monthly Chu On This… Newsletter You Win If You Lose: Uncle Alec’s will read that the two remaining heirs, Polly and William, must stage a horse race, and the family inheritance would go to the heir that owned the LOSING horse. The trainer speculated that with these... Read more

You Win If You Lose: Uncle Alec’s will read that the two remaining heirs, Polly and William, must stage a horse race, and the family inheritance would go to the heir that owned the LOSING horse. The trainer speculated that with these rules, the race might never end. But the art of the deal ran deep in the family veins, and between them Polly and William managed to agree on a plan that would ensure a good, sportsmanlike race. What plan did they decide on to accomplish this?

Answer: Polly and William agreed to switch horses.

Here’s how: With these rules, each rider would need to beat the mount that was ridden by the other heir in order to collect the inheritance. Remember here that the will refers to the OWNER of the losing horse, not the rider of the losing horse.

]]>http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/08/02/visual-brainstorms-18/feed/02208Productivity Pointers from Productive People – Kendra Sivertson editionhttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/07/22/2204/
http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/07/22/2204/#respondSat, 22 Jul 2017 15:25:55 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2204Ever wonder how some business leaders are so productive? They are incredibly busy, yet accomplish what they want in less time than many others. As a Professional Organizer, I’m lucky to meet many inspiring individuals who fall into this illustrious category. In this monthly Q&A segment, I am pleased to... Read more

They are incredibly busy, yet accomplish what they want in less time than many others. As a Professional Organizer, I’m lucky to meet many inspiring individuals who fall into this illustrious category. In this monthly Q&A segment, I am pleased to share their valuable tips on what makes them so productive at work.

This month we talk to Kendra Sivertson, the founder of Perspektiv Financial Inc to learn what makes her so organized and successful.

What are the biggest time wasters in your life? What do you do to manage them?

E-mail takes up a huge amount of time. So I try to check e-mail only a few times a day and I call whenever I can to avoid the back and forth that often happens. Also, I used to commute. But now that I live within walking distance to work, it saves me hours a day and a lot of frustration. I use the extra time to exercise and meet with friends after work.

How do you manage and organize yourself electronically (online, mobile phone, computer)

We have our own server and a VPN. That way we can work from anywhere, at any time and from almost any device. Everything works the same and everyone has access to the same information.

How do you organize and file your paper information?

We are paperless. We are still refining our digital system, but we use different drives to segment the different parts of the business.

What’s your top tip to staying organized & productive?

Having structured time and trying not to make too many exceptions. For example, Monday is “paper” work and e-mails, so I very rarely meet with clients on Mondays.

What do you do to achieve work-life balance?

I have set times each week that are for me and my family. And I almost never break those times for work. People understand.

Kendra Sivertson is the founder of Perspektiv Financial Inc., a firm that helps people have a clear vision of their finances and where they are going. It is comprised of a small group of advisors with several decades of experience between them. Each advisor has a different area of specialization giving them a broad range of experience and styles. They all work to provide clients with a positive experience and a clear perspective.

]]>http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/07/22/2204/feed/022043 Reasons You Don’t Need a Storage Unithttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/07/17/3-reasons-dont-need-a-storage-unit/
Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:40:17 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2202Yes, it sounds like a good idea to rent a storage unit. There are a variety of reasons: you may be downsizing, in rental limbo, your home doesn’t have enough storage space, and so on. I’ve had many clients who believe they need to store furniture, accessories or personal items... Read more

]]>Yes, it sounds like a good idea to rent a storage unit. There are a variety of reasons: you may be downsizing, in rental limbo, your home doesn’t have enough storage space, and so on. I’ve had many clients who believe they need to store furniture, accessories or personal items for the future.

But is a storage unit really a good idea? Possibly not. Here are 3 reasons why:

1. You’re likely holding on to things you won’t use

If you’re renovating, a unit can make sense. But for the majority of people, you’re likely just storing stuff you don’t need anyway. If something is of value, sell it or give it away to someone who will appreciate and use it. The funny thing is many people actually forget what they have stored anyway.

2. It’s a hassle

You’ll need to shop around, figure out the right unit size, find the best deal (they generally don’t post rates online), sign papers, move things in and (eventually) move things out. Aren’t there other things you’d rather be doing?

3. The costs can be shocking

There’s a wide range of unit prices depending on the size, location and options you need. Climate controlled, electrical access, ventilated, high security? It’s easy to spend $300/month on a storage unit in Vancouver. That’s $3,600 a year! After 4 years, you’ve spent $14,000! Think of everything you’re storing- is it even worth that much? Where else would you use that money for?

I urge my clients to think through all their options before renting a storage unit. If it’s exactly what you need short-term, then go for it. But for many people, it’s really not a good fiscal decision. To read more, check out a LinkedIn post from my colleague, local realtor Mona Lamarche called Where Do I Put all My Stuff?

If you need help moving or downsizing your home, be sure to contact us at Out of Chaos. Learn more about our move management services here.

With a little ingenuity, you can install shelves in your entry way, bike hooks in the garage or build clever window seat boxes to hide kitchen paraphernalia. There are wonderful baskets, boxes, hooks and drawer organizers that corral your necessities and keep them out of your way.

In fact, it’s a lot of fun to visit retail stores and see what beautiful merchandise they have to offer. And I know, it can be tempting to buy them. But if you come home and realize you don’t truly have a use for it, it just adds to your mess.

Here’s the truth: You should be removing the clutter, not creating more storage space. You are likely holding on to items you really don’t need in the first place. And if you don’t use these things why keep them?

Once you’ve reached the “Allocate” stage, you’ll know what you need to keep. This is the fun part! Gone are the items weighing you down. You can now decide where and how you should store all your remaining (and important) things.

By all means, NOW go shopping. From hooks that hold everyday clothing to big plastic bins that get tucked-away for holiday decorations, there are oodles of options in the marketplace to keep your stuff in order.

Locally, I enjoy shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond for both home and office solutions. But there are lots of stores that now offer clever options. Enjoy the process!

Need help decluttering and developing a storage solution? Be sure to contact us at info@outofchaos.ca or 604.813.8189.

]]>2196Visual Brainstorms ®http://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/07/05/visual-brainstorms-17/
Wed, 05 Jul 2017 20:00:50 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2191Our riddle from our monthly Chu On This… Newsletter Stick Pile Up: Counting from the top of the pile down, what animal head is on the tenth stick? Answer: The tenth stick down is the bull.

]]>2191Productivity Pointers from Productive People – Lucas Roberts editionhttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/06/27/productivity-pointers-productive-people-lucas-roberts-edition/
Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:47:14 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2170Ever wonder how some business leaders are so productive? They are incredibly busy, yet accomplish what they want in less time than many others. As a Professional Organizer, I’m lucky to meet many inspiring individuals who fall into this illustrious category. In this monthly Q&A segment, I am pleased to... Read more

They are incredibly busy, yet accomplish what they want in less time than many others. As a Professional Organizer, I’m lucky to meet many inspiring individuals who fall into this illustrious category. In this monthly Q&A segment, I am pleased to share their valuable tips on what makes them so productive at work.

This month we talk to Lucas Roberts, President and CEO of Macinhome Consulting Inc., to learn what makes him organized and successful.

What are the biggest time wasters in your life? What do you do to manage them?

The biggest of them all is doing things I already know how to do and am very good at. I try to catch myself in the moment, and I ask myself “Is this the best use of my time? Could someone else do this if I teach them well enough? Could I write a document, checklist, process… or make a video so I don’t ever have to do this again?” This keeps me vigilant.

I also once every few days take a step back and look at things from a birds-eye view with some journaling. I look to see what’s the actual best use of my time and what I could do to keep innovating, while also empowering my staff to get better and better. My top three resources for this are The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber, Getting Things Done by David Allen, and The One Thing by Gary Keller.

Actual phone calls to speak with and care for people. It is too tempting and easy and lazy to send a text. Beyond that… Siri for many most common tasks (I just made a video about this), Slack and Basecamp for team chat and collaboration, Vonigo for our client scheduling and invoicing, the great VA team at It’s Your Time (itsyourtime.ca) handling our phone calls from clients.

A gold mine of self improvement tools from the incredible entrepreneurial curriculum and coaching staff at ESP (executivesuccessprograms.com). OF COURSE my Apple Watch, iPhone, and top of the line MacBook Pro 2016 Retina with Touch Bar that turns any park or beach or coffee shop into an office. My own version of the Pomodoro technique that I learned in ESP for daily time commitments… Like 15 mins per day on X task. Bookkeeping, task management, blog writing… I do many of those daily disciplines. I use the Streaks app that syncs with my iPhone and Watch to keep track of them all.

How do you manage and organize yourself electronically (online, mobile phone, computer)

When I need to do something or I commit to someone to do something it goes into a Note in my Apple Notes app that syncs beautifully to my Mac and iPhone. This is called my Capture Tool which I learned from a couple Landmark friends who teach the Mission Control method.

A few times per day I move things from my Capture Tool either into my calendar to actually commit time to those things, or into a Google Sheet where I track and prioritize each item. Within that spreadsheet I also look at other options for getting that item done, like if I should delegate it, make a video, write a process, etc. The daily 15 mins a day focused on that is huge. When I set that timer, NOTHING gets in my way. I made a video about that too.

How do you organize and file your paper information?

I don’t. Stacks and piles and somewhat-organized chaos. The actual important things go into a “these are important” pile that will then get lost amidst other piles. When I truly need to do or be aware of something I’ll take a photo of it, it syncs from my phone to my Mac in 3 seconds through iCloud Photo Library, and I put actual steps and dates into my Capture Tool and calendar. I don’t trust paper.

What’s your top tip to staying organized & productive?

Get in reality with how much time it actually takes to stay organized and proactive in your life. For me it takes a solid 30-60 mins per day just to look at and think about my tasks, commitments, next steps, and calendaring. ESPECIALLY when I think about how to delegate things. Thinking takes time, and often takes journaling to get it out of my head into something workable.

I also use youcanbook.me that syncs with my calendar so other people can just pick times within my web calendar. Totally eliminates the back and forth of when are you free, sorry I’m not free then, bla bla bla. Bonus: It also eliminates the people who weren’t serious about wanting to meet with me. If they don’t follow through with the web booking then it wasn’t that important to them. I also block off big chunks of time so no one can book with me at certain times in the week. This keeps me proactive and creative during those times.

What do you do to achieve work-life balance?

I stay vigilant and aware. I keep checking in and take care of my “big rocks“. I ask my girlfriend what she would change about our relationship and then put time and work into that. I notice if my body feels weak or hurting, and get help from a trainer or design a 15-minute workout for myself to address it. I make time to lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling, or to binge watch an entire season of something. I also journal and ask myself important questions. Real men journal.

Lucas Roberts is the President and CEO of Macinhome Consulting Inc., a full-service Mac IT consulting company headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. Macinhome is a team of experts highly trained, certified and experienced in all things Apple. From networking to syncing to security to usability, their squad is standing by, ready to jump into action when you need help.

]]>2170Breakfast Television: How to Teach Your Kids to be More Organizedhttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/06/22/breakfast-television-teach-kids-organized/
Thu, 22 Jun 2017 22:27:54 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2165School may be out, but teaching isn’t over! There is no Organizing 101 class, so it’s up to parents to give their kids the tools to be more organized. From my Breakfast Television Vancouver visit, here are some skills and tips I think kids need for success. Time management skills... Read more

]]>School may be out, but teaching isn’t over! There is no Organizing 101 class, so it’s up to parents to give their kids the tools to be more organized. From my Breakfast Television Vancouver visit, here are some skills and tips I think kids need for success.

Time management skills

Encourage your child to use a personal calendar and/or agenda. Depending on their age, support them to write their own entries so they learn how to manage their time and practice their writing. There are a variety of great products, from school agendas to dry erase boards, that can help entice kids.

Ensure personal activities coordinate with the family calendar or “master plan”. Make this an opportunity for family time and meet weekly, say over Sunday breakfast, to ensure the family calendar has everyone’s activity noted.

Writing and preparation skills

Introduce checklists to help kids with their general routine or prepare for events. For example, “3 Things to do Before Bed” or “What to Take on Vacation”. They can make their list on paper or even use cool things like wall stickers. Checking off a list is great for that sense of accomplishment!

General organizing skills

Contain with containers! Make sure your child knows everything needs a home – and they make it a habit of placing everything back in their home. Items like clear shoe boxes are great for sorting and cataloging so they can find things quickly and avoid clutter.

Cord management. With so many electronics, all the cords can get tangled up, mixed up with other family member’s cords or get lost. With fun coloured tapes, consider colour-coding each piece for personal identification. Other options include wall outlet organizer products or even re-purposing your child’s favourite action figure toys for cord management. Take this cool Superman figure with cupped hands – perfect for holding the cord of a charging cable. Just double side tape them to a piece of furniture and it will prevent your child’s cords from sliding under a desk.

Summer is a great time to instill good habits and keep kids organized!

A big thank-you to Bed, Bath & Beyond Canada (1740 West Broadway location) for these great organizational products I demonstrated on TV.

]]>2165We Find the Secret Hiding Placeshttp://www.outofchaos.ca/2017/06/19/find-secret-hiding-places/
Mon, 19 Jun 2017 16:00:31 +0000http://www.outofchaos.ca/?p=2162Beyond assisting homeowners to edit through the volume of their life possessions, we also have another important job: finding secret hiding places. Many people have secret spots in their homes where they hide valuable items like money, jewelry or important documents. Oftentimes, these spots are so private that they are overlooked... Read more

]]>Beyond assisting homeowners to edit through the volume of their life possessions, we also have another important job: finding secret hiding places.

Many people have secret spots in their homes where they hide valuable items like money, jewelry or important documents. Oftentimes, these spots are so private that they are overlooked and often forgotten. You’d be surprised at how common this is!

We make a special effort to thoroughly go through possessions when our clients move, downsizing, or declutter. Some unique finds that we have come across:

An old 50’s tube tv cabinet that housed an envelope of $20 bills. We unscrewed the back cover to find an envelope inside- the amount of money totaled $1,000.00

Secret pockets sewn inside the waistbands of pants and jacket sleeve cuffs. It looked like used tissues were crammed inside, but each wad of tissue actually held a hefty supply of loonies & toonies

Return envelopes from utility companies hiding new $20 and $100 bills. They were stuffed into drawers, in china cabinets and inside of books and magazines. The amount we found in one household was over $5,000.00

As you can imagine, homeowners are thrilled when we find these treasures for them. So it certainly pays to check hiding spots if you’re downsizing, or helping someone downsize!

We often get called into homes when the volume of someone’s life possessions have reached a tipping point, causing more anxiety than happiness. If you need help with downsizing, be sure to read some of our downsizing tips and articles here. And if you need some assistance, please contact us at info@outofchaos.ca or 604.813.8189 to discuss your needs.

Are there secret hiding places have you uncovered while clearing out a loved one’s home? We’d love to hear them– so please comment below!